JEFF Goldblum has been a regular big-screen presence since forgetting his mantra in 1977’s “Annie Hall.” The Pittsburgh native went on to make his mark as oily but charismatic anti-heroes in “The Fly” and “Jurassic Park.” But little in his past hinted at the intensity he displays in Friday’s “Adam Resurrected.” Directed by “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull” screenwriter Paul Schrader, the film, based on a controversial Israeli novel, stars Goldblum as Adam Stein, one of Europe’s top entertainers before the onset of the Holocaust. He is sent to the camps and taken as a personal pet – literally – by a sadistic SS officer played by Willem Dafoe. By the late ’50s, Stein has gone somewhat crazy, and “Adam Resurrected” tells the story of what he endured.

How did you prepare for such a role?

Luckily, I had a year to immerse myself in it. I went to Israel and worked with Paul Schrader, and went to Germany for a month to a concentration camp or two. I talked to survivors. I played the violin every day and took lessons. I worked with script interpretation with animals. [A dog becomes one of his closest companions in the film.] I even worked with Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. So it was quite a life-changing year, in the most nourishing part I ever had.

Is there something about being older that gave you the gravitas to handle it?

Orson Welles did “Citizen Kane” when he was 23. I may be a slow learner. There’s been a long and interesting adventure trying to get the movie made. Charlie Chaplin called up the author of the book when he read it and said, “I’ve got to play that part.” Orson Welles also wanted to do it. Thank goodness it finally ended up with me and Paul Schrader.

Did being Jewish give this role stronger meaning?

Yes, I think it did. My father was in the war, and his brother – whom I look exactly like – was a pilot in the war, and his plane went down. So I did feel already connected to it.

Do you think the theme of the Holocaust still resonates with younger generations?

I don’t know, but I think it’s always worth retelling. It’s a monumental event, and there are relevant lessons. Paul Schrader thinks the relationships in the movie include universal things that would connect with people of all ages. For instance, it’s not only about the Holocaust, but people trying to get better from any disorder. And then – even larger – what happens when we lose everything? It either diminishes us, or we can ask – who am I? I think that’s true for everybody.

How was it working wth schrader?

He was up for having a real powerful experience. There’s a scene where I’m at my daughter’s grave and realize that she was pregnant with my grandson, and I lose my mind. I’m crying, snot’s coming out of my nose and after a take he said, “That’s very good, but on the next take, get a handful of dirt, put that in your mouth, and eat it.” I said, “Yeah, that’s a good idea. That’s very crazy.” And I said, “Is there any kind of edible dirt that looks like dirt?” He said, “No, Jeff. Just eat that dirt.” I said, “Really? Isn’t that bad, with bugs and rocks and germs?” He said, “Look, Jeff. Here.” And he took up a pile of dirt and put it in his mouth and he ate it. I said, “My god, Paul. OK. Here we go.” So I did it, too. We both had a very life-changing experience doing this movie.

Quotes

* “I just read Philip Roth’s last book, “Indignation,” which my sister sent me as a birthday gift. I love Philip Roth’s

writing. The book’s about a kid in school, and dealing with the difficult administrators, and difficulties in his family. It’s just spectacular.”

* “I collect art done by my sister. She’s a painter, a fantastic artist named Pam Goldblum, and she collaborates on canvases – they both paint on the same canvas – with her husband, Jeffrey Kaisershot. They make things together, and they’re spectacular. I have them all over my house.”

* “I love to play jazz piano. We have a jazz group called

The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra in LA. Whenever I’m not

working and I’m back there, we book ourselves gigs here and there and we play. I love to do that.”